Paramount demo forces closure of downtown Youngstown streets

YOUNGSTOWN — Hazel Street between West Federal and Commerce streets will be closed for up to 90 days, starting Wednesday, because of the demolition of the former Paramount Theatre in the city’s downtown.

Baumann Enterprises Inc., the Cleveland company hired by the city to take down the building, will also close the westbound portion of West Federal Street between Phelps and Hazel streets for up to 30 days, also starting Wednesday.

That section street will only be closed between 6 p.m. and 7 a.m. on weekdays. There will be detours posted.

The $721,000 contract Baumann has with the city to demolish the asbestos-filled theater building on the corner of West Federal and Hazel streets requires work on that busy area of downtown to be done between 6 p.m. and 7 a.m.

The company can also work weekends, if it chooses, between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., said Charles Shasho, deputy director of the city’s public works department. He said he doubted work would be done on the weekends, but Baumann has that option.

The actual demolition is expected to begin Monday, with the project finished by Sept. 21, Shasho said.

For the complete story, read Tuesday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com

Don't Miss a Story

Sign up for our newsletter to receive daily news directly in your inbox.